Renovations at Lowrey Field unveiled

Lubbock ISD students will have a new and improved place to enjoy the Friday night lights. After nearly three years, the makeover of Lowrey Field is finally complete.

The renovations, approved as part of the $198 million bond package passed by voters in 2010, includes a new three-level press box, a new track, and improvements to the concession stands and restrooms.

"Probably, at least, my favorite part of this whole complex, when we look at the room below us, is our community room," Superintendent Berhl Robertson said. "It gives a place to have events, a place for people to gather and visit, and really watch quality events at this ball park."

Mitch Watson, co-chair of the 2020 bond campaign, has seen the idea from concept to fruition. He said one of the biggest improvements was to the locker rooms.

"When you look at having four locker rooms where we can have a four o'clock game, and a seven thirty game, being able to get four teams in and out of this stadium, it wasn't really a possibility before," Watson said. "They could do it, but it was tough. Now, we can accommodate it, and really do it better, as good as anyone."

"We lowered the level of the locker room, about nine feet from where it was," Robertson said. "We have four high quality locker rooms. Now, our double headers will be much easier. We're going to be able to track playoff games, hopefully people will come off the beaten path at Plains Capital Park. It is one of the best facilities in a 400-mile radius."

Monterey and Coronado high schools will christen the new field on Thursday for the first game of the year.

Apart from sports, does the field serve any other purpose? Jocks are a small minority of the student population. Let's verify that as much money is spent on satisfying the needs of each member of the student body. Millions for stadium modifications, but mere pennies, in comparison, for engineering labs. No wonder too many LISD schools failed the standardized exams. I hope the ticket prices are high enough to cover the cost of the upgrades and maintenance. A sports industry this massive, should be completely independent from education tax subsidies.